Device for stopping or closing gas-mains.



Patented Sept. 2, i901 A. ,POSTLEY. DEVICE FOR STOPPING 0R CLOSING GASMAINS.

(Application filed Apr. 2,1992.)

(N0 Mqdel.)

W/ TNESSBS UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

ARTHUR POSTLEY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

DEVICE FOR STOPPING OR CLOSING GAS-MAINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,076, datedSeptember 2, 1902.

Application filed April 2, 1902. SeriahNo, 101,044. No model.)

To all whom it may concern: I

Be itknown that I, ARTHUR POSTLEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county of New York and State 5 of New York,have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Devices for Stoppingor Closing Up Gas-Mains, of which the following is a full and completespecification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same. The object of this invention is toprovide improved means for stopping or closing a gas-main while repairsare being made or couplings or connections effected, a further objectbeing to provide a device of this class which is simple in constructionand effective in operation and may be quickly and easily manipulated forthe purpose specified.

The'invention is fully disclosed in the fol-' lowing specification, ofwhich the accompanying drawings form a part, in which the separate partsof my improvement are designated by the same reference characters ineach of the views, and in which- Figure 1 is a transverse section of agasmain and showing my improved stopper or closure device insertedthereinto; Fig. 2, a similar View showing the device in operation; Fig.3, a horizontal section of the construction as shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4,asectional detail on an enlarged scale, and Fig. 5 a

perspective view of a detail of the construction which I employ.

In the drawings forming part of this specitop of which is an opening aand in the practice of my invention I'provide a device of the classspecified which comprises-two cords, bars, or links I) of the samelength and pivotally connected at b and the ends of which are providedat each side with supplemental pivoted links or bars d, the ends ofwhich are pivotally connected at c, and these links or bars whenconnected as described form a toggle-lever frame which is adapted to beexpanded and contracted by means of handle-levers e, which arepivotallyconnected at f and pivotallyconnected with the correspondingmembers or end portions of the links or bars I), as clearly shown inFigs. 1 and 2.

Around the frame of the device formed by inwardly thereon.

fication I have shown at a, a gasmain in the' the links or bars I) andsupplemental links'or bars d'I place a strong rubber tube g, aroundwhich is secured a strong canvas covering 9 which is circular in formand covers the entire frame at one side thereof, and the edge of thiscanvas covering after being passed around the tube 9 is secured byrivets or other suitable devices 72, passed through clamps 1;, securedto the pivotal points 0 and c of the links or bars I) and d.

The normal position of the parts of this device is that shown in Fig. l,and when it is desired to use said device so as to stop or close thegas-main a the said device is inserted through the opening a, and theframe thereof is expandedby grasping the projecting ends 6 of thehandle-levers eand pulling them apart and at the same time pushing Thisoperation expands theframework of the device, as shown in Fig. '2, andcauses the same to securely stop and close the main,,the rubbertube 9pressingon the walls thereof and the canvas cover g fully closing thecentral portion of the main.

The cover g maybe composed of canvas, rubber-and canvas, or any othersuitable material, and when the'parts are folded together, as in Fig. 1,the cover is also folded, as will be readily understood, and when theparts are in operation, as in Fig. 2,,the said cover 9 expands or isspread out, so as to fully close the main. 1

The tube 9 may-be of rubber, rubber and canvas, or any other suitablematerial and may be made of such rigidity as to operate in the mannerdescribed, so as to perfectly close the main, or it may be provided withan internal spring, which will facilitate this operation.

One of the handle-levers e is provided at a predetermined point fromtheir pivotal connection at f with a pivoted pawl 70, which operates inconnection with ratchet-teeth k on the other handle-lever, and theseratchetteeth may be formed in said handle-lever or in the separatepieces secured thereto, or any other suitable form of pawl or lockingdevice may be substituted for the pawl k, and when the handle-levers arepulled out at their upper end, as shown in Fig. 2, this pawl willoperate to hold said levers at any desired point of separation, so thatthe stopper or closure device will remain in the expanded positionwithin the main, so as to close the latter.

Any suitable means may be provided as an auxiliary device for closingthe opening a in the main (1, if said means maybe found necessary, andany other suitable devices may be employed for holding the handle-leverse in the position shown in Fig. 2, and it will be apparent that myimproved gas-main stopper or closure device may be made in differentsizes, so as to be used in gas-mains ofdiiferent diameters.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A stopper or closure device for gas-mains comprising a contractibleand expansible frame composed of main bars or links pivotally connectedcentrally thereof, supplemental bars or links pivotally connected withthe ends of the main bars or links, and with each other, an elastic tubepassing around and connected with the frame thus formed, a flexiblecovering secured to said frame, and handle-levers pivotally connectedwith the main bars or links of said frame and with each other,substantially as shown and described.

2. A stopper or closure device for gas-mains comprising a contractibleand expansible frame composed of main bars or links pivotally connectedcentrally thereof, supplemental bars or links pivotally connected withthe ends of the main bars or links and with each other, an elastic tubepassing around and connected with the frame thus formed, a flexiblecovering secured to said frame, and handlevers pivotally connected withthe main bars or links of said frame and with each other, one of saidhandle-levers being provided with a pivoted pawl and the other withratchetteeth, substantially as shown and described.

3. In a device of the class described an expansible and contractibleframe composed of pivotally-connected main bars or links, supplementalbars or links pivotally connected with the ends of the main bars orlinks and with each other, an elastic tube inclosing said frame andsecured thereto, a flexible covering inclosing one side of said frameand handle-levers connected with each other and with the main bars orlinks, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname,in presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 29th day of March,1902.

ARTHUR POSTLEY.

\Vitnesses:

F. L. BRADLEY, RICHARD SHEPARD, Jr.

